Monitoring Eye Movements Depending on the Type of Visual Stimulus in Patients with Impaired Consciousness Due to Brain Damage

Abstract

The eyeballs are often the only way to communicate messages as a result of brain damage. However, it is not uncommon for them to become dysfunctional, thus requiring the introduction of appropriate therapy. The trajectory of eye movements (saccadic movements and gaze fixation) during observation of a static and dynamic point presented with an eye tracker was analyzed in the present study. Twelve patients with brain injury of different etiology, with different degrees of consciousness disorders and not communicating through verbal and motor skills, qualified for the study. All participants demonstrated greater eye movement activity when presented with a dynamic task in which they observed a moving point. The findings suggest that effective eye movement therapy must incorporate dynamic stimuli.